The article, Structural features of human DJ-1 in distinct Cys106 oxidative states and their relevance to its loss of function in disease, investigated a structure and biophysics-based mechanism by which the DJ-1 protein may lose its neuroprotective function due to high oxidative stress conditions, which are present in brain cells of patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as AD and PD. The manuscript is available online at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304416517302738.

Cantabio's CEO, Gergely Tóth PhD, MBA, stated, "Our study highlights the way oxidative stress, present in disease conditions, causes destabilization of the structure of DJ-1, which may lead to it losing its defensive role in diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The results of our studies further indicate that Cantabio's approach of developing small molecules that bind to and stabilize the DJ-1 protein, enhancing its protective activity, is a highly promising therapeutic approach for the development of a disease modifying therapeutic for PD and AD."

About Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects BBA publishes hypothesis-driven peer-reviewed studies or reviews covering subjects in biochemistry and biophysics that are considered to have general interest for a wide audience.

About Cantabio PharmaceuticalsCantabio is focused on bringing novel, first-in-class drug candidates into clinical trials and beyond through the discovery and development of innovative pharmacological chaperone and protein delivery based therapeutics aimed at addressing the root causes of disease, protein misfolding and oxidative stress. Cantabio's programs focus on protein systems implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as oxidative stress and diseases related to this. The company is currently engaged in advanced pre-clinical trials of its therapeutic candidates and is focused on developing these towards clinical trials. More information is available at www.cantabio.com.